FAA Lifts Ban on US Airline Flying to/from Israel (UPDATE)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has lifted the ban on U.S. airlines flying in and out of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, Voice of America reports.

The FAA announced late Wednesday that it had decided to lift the restrictions after analyzing security information and steps that the Israeli government had taken to reduce the risks to passenger planes, NBC reports.

However, the FAA added that it will continue to monitor the "very fluid situation" around the main international airport of Israel and might take other actions if required.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf, Wednesday, said that even though Hamas possesses rockets that could reach the Ben Gurion Airport, the accuracy of these were limited.

"During current fighting Hamas rockets have landed north of the airport although the accuracy of their rockets does remain limited," Harf said.

A rocket fired from Gaza had struck near the Tel Aviv international airport. The FAA imposed the ban fearing the U.S. airlines could meet the same fate as the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 that was shot down by rebels while crossing the hostile region of eastern Ukraine. Around 300 people onboard the Malaysian flight were killed.

While imposing the ban, Tuesday, the FAA's Notice to Airmen had stated: "Due to the potentially hazardous situation created by the armed conflict in Israel and Gaza, all flight operations to/from Ben Gurion International Airport by US operators are prohibited until further advised."

Major U.S., European and Canadian airlines had cancelled flights to and from Israel after the ban was put into effect, AFP reports.  Many flights were diverted to/from Israel through Philadelphia.

Post the ban, Israel decided to open the Ovda Airport as an alternative to Ben Gurion. The Ovda is deep in the Negev Desert and is mostly used for military purposes. Major measures need to be taken so as to accommodate more civilian planes.